Growing public fascination with “magic” psilocybin mushrooms as a trendy treatment for depression had led to increased interest in another type of psychedelic mushroom, a new study reports. Unfortunately, this second sort of shroom — known as Amanita muscaria — can be more toxic than fentanyl, cocaine and PCP, researchers say. Marketing the two types…  read on >  read on >

A potential human-specific antidote to black widow spider venom has been discovered, researchers report. They have identified an antibody that effectively neutralizes black widow venom in lab tests of cell cultures, according to a study published June 12 in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. This antibody, or ones like it, could eventually replace the horse-derived…  read on >  read on >

Depression and memory declines may be closely linked in older people, new research suggests. “Our study shows that the relationship between depression and poor memory cuts both ways, with depressive symptoms preceding memory decline and memory decline linked to subsequent depressive symptoms,” said senior study author Dr. Dorina Cadar, of University College London. The study…  read on >  read on >

Older women with chronic kidney disease might wind up losing so many teeth they aren’t able to chew and talk effectively, a new study warns. Postmenopausal women with kidney disease are about 40% more likely to have fewer than 20 teeth, the minimum number needed to adequately chew and speak, researchers reported June 12 in…  read on >  read on >

Mankind is eyeing Mars as its next grand expedition, but the human body might not be capable of dealing with such a journey, a new study warns. It’s very likely that an astronaut’s kidneys could be permanently damaged by cosmic radiation during a years-long mission to Mars, researchers reported June 11 in the journal Nature…  read on >  read on >

Winston Churchill once said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” It’s one of countless platitudes claiming that failure leads to success. But there’s strong evidence that such a notion is wrongheaded and can lead to terrible real-world consequences, researchers said in a new report. In fact, many people do…  read on >  read on >

Lung cancer patients who underwent screening were more apt to be diagnosed at earlier stages and have better outcomes than patients who were not screened, new research shows. The findings — from a study of close to 58,000 patients diagnosed through the U.S. Veterans Health Administration — underscore the importance of early detection through screening. …  read on >  read on >